Destroyers

The Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyer will provide the backbone of the UK Royal Navy, protecting UK national, allied and coalition forces against enemy aircraft and missiles.

The Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyer will provide the backbone of the Royal Navy’s air defences for the next 30 years and beyond.
It can engage a large number of targets simultaneously and identify, track and destroy a threat the size of a cricket ball travelling at three times the speed of sound. Ultimately, Type 45 will defend the UK’s new aircraft carriers or groups of ships, such as an amphibious landing force, against the strongest threats from the air.

The Type 45 is the first frontline warship to feature an integrated electric propulsion system. This means that the whole ship, including propulsion, weapons and hotel, can run off a single power plant at an economical speed of around 18 knots. As a result, the ship is 45 per cent more economical than the Type 42 that it replaces and can travel the equivalent distance to New York and back without refuelling.
It has been designed with through life support in mind. An example of this is directly above the engine – each level has an access plate that can be removed so that the engine can be lifted out without having to ship affecting the structure of the ship.

Type 45’s innovative design incorporates stealth technology to reduce the chances of it being identified this shrinks the radar signature to make the ship appear to be the size of a fishing boat.

The accommodation onboard Type 45 sets new standards for the Royal Navy. The crew benefits from almost 40 per cent more space than on previous ships – equivalent to a commercial ferry.  Type 45 is also the first UK warship with a dedicated gym onboard.

Key facts

• Displacement: 7,500 tonnes

  Length: 152.4 metres

  Maximum beam: 21.2 metres

  Top speed: 27 knots

  Range: 7,000 miles

• CUSTOMERS
• UK Royal Navy
  Programme to design, build and
  support six vessels.